A fun and exciting look at the history,
current status and linguistics of the Chinook Jargon pidgin.

This book provides the traveler and resident alike with
a unique insight into an area where few modern explorers venture  Native American
languages. As custodians of their cultures, these languages are disappearing from the
North American landscape. Two hundred ninety of the 300 indigenous languages will be
extinct within the next century unless present trends are reversed.

Chinook Jargon is the most accessible of all the Native American languages. With a small
utilitarian vocabulary and straightforward syntax, it was the lingua franca of the
Northwest for most of the 1800s. One hundred thousand Native Americans, settlers and
immigrants were using it in 1875. Enough Chinook Jargon can be learned in a few hours to
enjoy simple conversation. This book provides added entertainment by deciphering place
names in the Northwest. Youll help preserve this American pidgin by participating in
this enriching experience.